Potomac Institute for Policy Studies

The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies (PIPS) is an independent, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit public policy research institute. "The Institute identifies and aggressively shepherds discussion on key science and technology issues facing our society, providing in particular, an academic forum for the study of related policy issues. From these discussions and forums ... [the Institute developes] meaningful science and technology policy options and ensure their implementation at the intersection of business and government.

The Institute's current endeavors have required the formation of special efforts in:


 * Terrorism and asymmetry
 * Emerging threats and opportunities
 * National health policies
 * Science and technology forecasting
 * National security

Homeland Defense
In January 2001, the Institute received a $175,000 grant from the Smith Richardson Foundation to conduct a study entitled "Assessing Technologies for Biological Terrorism Consequence Management":


 * "David Siegrist will examine the capability of homeland defense policies to protect against the threat of biological weapons terrorism. He will research emerging consequence management technologies and convene expert panels to make recommendations regarding investment in research and development. The project will result in published policy papers and briefings for policy makers."

Research from this project, at least in part, resulted in the PIPS report "Advanced Technology Needs for Consequence Management of Biological Terrorism" (14-page Executive Summary), which was published on October 15, 1999.

Other Projects
In May 2008, the Naval Surface Warfare Center awarded the Institute an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quality (IDIQ) Prime Contract "to provide a wide range of engineering, technical and programmatic services." Contract Number: N00178-08-D-5548 has a $58 billion ceiling.

Reference: Sea Port-e, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies website, accessed September 2010.

Academic Centers

 * Communications Center, LLC
 * International Center for Terrorism Studies (ICTS)
 * National Center for Unconventional Thought (NCUT)
 * National Security Health Policy Center (NSHPC)

The Institute supports a variety of government offices including the:


 * Center for Emerging Threats and Opportunities (CETO)
 * Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
 * Dominant Maneuver Assessment Division of the Joint Staff
 * Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory
 * National Academy of Science
 * National Science Foundation
 * Office of Naval Research
 * Office of Science and Technology Policy
 * U.S. Navy's Commercial Technology Transition Office

Additionally, the Institute's web site provides links to Publications, many of which can be downloaded in .pdf format.

Board of Directors

 * Michael S. Swetnam, CEO and Chairman of the Board
 * Dr. Lyle Ashton Cox, Jr., Member of the Board
 * Howard K. Schue, Chairman, Board of Regents and ex officio Member of the Board
 * Gary L. Sojka, Secretary/Treasurer and Member of the Board

Past board members (circa 2006)
 * Charles Scalera, Esq., General Counsel and Member of the Board

Board of Regents

 * General Alfred M. Gray, USMC (Ret.), Chairman, Board of Regents, Member of the Board of Directors, and Senior Fellow
 * Professor Yonah Alexander, Ph.D., Member, Board of Regents, Senior Fellow, and Director, International Center for Terrorism Studies
 * Vice Admiral Albert J. Baciocco, Jr., USN (Ret.), Member, Board of Regents and Senior Fellow
 * Jeff Baxter, Member, Board of Regents and Senior Fellow
 * Dr. Terry Collins, Member, Board of Regents
 * Dr. Rita R. Colwell, Member, Board of Regents
 * Daniel J. Gallington, Esq., Member, Board of Regents and Senior Fellow
 * Rear Admiral John E. Gordon (Ted), JAGC, USN (Ret.), Member, Board of Regents and Senior Fellow
 * Jay Grove, Member, Board of Regents
 * Charles Herzfeld, Ph.D. Member, Board of Regents and Senior Fellow
 * Kathleen Kiernan, Ph.D., Member, Board of Regents
 * Robert V. LaPenta, Member, Board of Regents
 * Ambassador David C. Miller, Jr., Member, Board of Regents
 * A. Alan Moghissi, Ph.D., Member, Board of Regents and Senior Fellow
 * Alden V. Munson, Jr., Board of Regents and Senior Fellow
 * Gordon Oehler, Ph.D., Member, Board of Regents and Senior Fellow
 * Joseph Paresi, Member, Board of Regents
 * Dr. Fred E. Saalfeld, Member, Board of Regents and Senior Research Fellow
 * Timothy R. Sample, Member, Board of Regents
 * Howard K. Schue, Ex-Officio Member, Board of Regents and Member, Board of Directors
 * George A. Spix, Member, Board of Regents
 * Gene T. Sykes, Member, Board of Regents
 * Dr. James Tate, Jr., Member, Board of Regents and Senior Fellow
 * Anthony J. Tether, Ph.D.,
 * John J. Young, Jr., Member, Board of Regents and Senior Fellow.


 * Thomas O'Leary, Executive Vice President, Strategy, Planning and Programs
 * Gail Clifford, CPA, MBA, Vice President for Financial Management and Chief Financial Officer

Reference: Profiles: Board of Directors (accessed September 2010).

Board of Regents

 * Gen Alfred M. Gray, USMC (Ret), Chairman and Senior Fellow
 * Yonah Alexander, Member, Senior Fellow, and Director of the International Center for Terrorism Studies (ICTS) (Potomac Institute)
 * Jeff Baxter, Member
 * Dr. Ronald Blanck, Member and Advisor, National Security Health Policy Center (NSHPC) (Potomac Institute)
 * Bertram S. Brown, M.D., M.P.H., Member and Advisor, National Security Health Policy Center (Potomac Institute)
 * Dr. Terry Collins, Member
 * Dr. Rita R. Colwell, Member
 * Jay Grove, Member
 * Dr. Charles Herzfeld, Member and Senior Fellow
 * Robert V. LaPenta, Member
 * Ambassador David C. Miller, Jr., Member
 * Gordon Oehler, Ph.D., Member and Senior Fellow
 * Leonard Roberts, Member
 * Timothy R. Sample, Member
 * Howard K. Schue, Ex-officio Member of the Board
 * George A. Spix, Member
 * Gene T. Sykes, Member
 * Hon Curt Weldon, Member
 * Member Profiles (accessed March 2006)

Staff

 * Michael S. Swetnam, Chairman and CEO
 * Dr. Dennis McBride, President and Acting VP for Research & Analysis Division
 * Dr. Stephen Prior, Director of the National Security Health Policy Center (NSHPC)
 * VADM Thomas J. Barrett, Vice President and COO
 * Thomas O'Leary, Vice President for Technical Operations
 * Ms. Gail Clifford, CPA, Chief Financial Officer
 * Staff and Profiles (accessed March 2006

Contact
The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies 901 N. Stuart Street, Suite 200 Arlington, VA 22203 Phone: 703 525-0770 Fax: 703 525-0299 Website: http://www.potomacinstitute.org

Related SourceWatch Resources

 * Homeland Security